Maintenance Monday: How To Use Jumper Cables ~ Chick Auto Tips | Car Tips for Women

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Monday, August 17, 2015

Maintenance Monday: How To Use Jumper Cables


Owning a working set of jumper cables -- and knowing how to use them -- are essential for drivers. Since using jumper cables incorrectly can be dangerous, follow every step precisely. Most jumper cables have an instruction card or label so you can make sure you're connecting them the right way.

Step 1: Before you attempt to jump start the car, make sure both batteries are of similar voltage or you risk damaging electrical components.
 

Step 2: Get the cars as close together as possible but do not allow the cars to touch one another.

Step 3: With both cars off and in Park, connect the jumper cables in the following order:
  • (1) Connect one red clamp to the positive (+) battery post of the "dead" battery.
  • (2) Connect the other red clamp to the positive (+) post of the good battery.
  • (3) Connect one black-end clamp to the negative (-) post of the good battery.
  • (4) Carefully connect the other black-end clamp to some large metallic part of your car's engine block. Never connect it to the negative (-) post of the "dead" battery because this causes sparking which could ignite battery gases.



Step 4: Next start the working car and run it at idling speed for a few minutes. After letting it run, start the "dead" car. Once your "dead" car has started and is running, immediately disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order and make sure to let it run idle for at least 30 minutes or drive it around for a little while to recharge the battery.


Images and Source via Goodhousekeeping

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